CJ Stroud rediscovers form as Houston Texans look to upset Chiefs

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Texans CJ Stroud
Can the Texans ride this momentum into KC? Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.

One of the popular narratives about the Texans this year was that CJ Stroud was struggling in his second season and unable to recapture the magic from his rookie year.

Well, that all changed on Saturday when Stroud got his groove back and helped lead the Texans to victory over the Chargers in the Wild Card round.

Make sure to watch the video above as ESPN Houston's John Granato and Lance Zielein react to the big win, and discuss what they expect to see from Stroud and the rest of the team against the Chiefs this weekend.

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The Astros beat the A's 13-3. Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images.

Cam Smith hit two of Houston's five home runs and finished with four hits as the Astros routed the Athletics 13-3 on Tuesday night to halt their four-game winning streak.

Jason Alexander, claimed off waivers from the Athletics last month, pitched six shutout innings for Houston before tiring in the seventh. Mauricio Dubón, Christian Walker and Cooper Hummel also homered for the Astros.

Smith and Dubón went back-to-back in the fourth.

Smith connected for leadoff shots in the second and fourth. He drove in three runs and scored three times. The 22-year-old rookie has five major league homers — and two multihomer games.

Dubón followed Smith's second home run with his second this season for a 5-0 lead against A's starter JP Sears, who walked the bases loaded in the first before giving up a two-run single to Jake Meyers.

Smith finished off his first four-hit game with an RBI double in the eighth.

Alexander (1-0) threw a season-high 95 pitches in his 12th career start and first since Sept. 18, 2022, with Milwaukee. He allowed three runs — two earned — and three hits.

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